Chippewas Host UMass for Homecoming on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

Saturday, October 25

Mount Pleasant, Mich.

3:30 PM

Central Michigan University

Massachusetts

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Massachusetts

Oct 25 (Sat)

3:30 PM

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Chippewas Host UMass for Homecoming on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

10/22/2025 4:43:00 PM | Football

Watch Live on ESPN+Listen Live Live Stats Buy Tickets 2025 Homecoming Central GameDay Page Flip Card (PDF)CMU Game Notes (PDF)UMass Game Notes (PDF)

Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m. ET for an ESPN+ broadcast; Chippewas looking to win their fourth contest in five games.

By: Greg Hotchkiss

GAME 8: MASSACHUSETTS (0-7, 0-3 MAC) at CENTRAL MICHIGAN (4-3, 2-1 MAC)
2025 Homecoming Game
Saturday, October 25, 2025 • 3:32 p.m. ET • Mount Pleasant, Mich • Kramer/Deromedi Field at Kelly/Shorts Stadium (30,255)

SATURDAY MATCHUP

Television: ESPN+ (Evan Stockton, play-by-play; Reggie Walker, analyst; Mark Balk, producer).

Chippewa Sports Radio Network: Adam Jaksa, play-by-play; Brock Gutierrez, color analyst; spotter: Steve Powers; hosts: Nathan Arbaugh, Kyle Sandel.

Live Stats: visit https://cmuchippewas.com/sidearmstats/football/summary

CMU Social Media: Twitter (@cmu_football); Facebook (@cmufootball); Instagram (cmufootball); Website: www.cmuchippewas.com.

Coaches: Central Michigan-Matt Drinkall, 1^st year at CMU (4-3), 6^th year as a head coach (46-20), 22^nd year in coaching. UMass-Joe Harasymiak, 1^st year at UMass (0-7), 3^rd year overall (20-22).

Series: Central Michigan and Massachusetts meet for the third time in college football and third time in a MAC game. Central Michigan has claimed each of the first two meetings in 2012 (42-21) and 2013 (37-0) when UMass was previously a MAC member. The last time the two schools met in Mount Pleasant on Nov. 23, 2013, CMU claimed a 37-0 victory.

CENTRAL MICHIGAN GAME NOTES

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich.–Central Michigan (4-3, 2-1 MAC) plays its fourth MAC game and eighth overall contest when it hosts UMass (0-7, 0-3 MAC) for its 2025 Homecoming game on Saturday, Oct. 25 at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. Kickoff is at 3:32 p.m. ET on ESPN+.

WHERE TO WATCH THE GAME

The game will be televised on ESPN+ with Evan Stockton (play-by-play) and Reggie Walker (color analyst) calling action. Mark Balk will produce.

WHERE TO LISTEN TO THE GAME

Fans can also listen to the CMU Chippewas Sports Network broadcast presented by Fabiano Brothers. Adam Jaksa (play-by-play) and former Central Michigan/NFL player and CMU Athletic Hall of Famer Brock Gutierrez (color analyst) call the action on the network which can be accessed on www.cmuchippewas.com, on the 98.5-FM WUPS website, or on the Black Diamond broadcasting app. Coverage begins with a one-hour pre-game show.

SATURDAY'S TOP STORYLINES

*Central Michigan will host its 2025 Homecoming Game. The contest marks the 101st anniversary of the first Homecoming Game. CMU owns a 61-35-1 all-time record on Homecoming and has won three of its last five.

*Central Michigan hosts Massachusetts looking to claim its fifth win of the season and third MAC game of the year. A victory would surpass CMU's win total from last year (4).

*With a 2-0 home record, Central Michigan enters the contest on a three-game home win streak and has won six of their last eight home games. CMU is 24-10 at home since 2019.

GAME NOTES
Central Michigan (4-3, 2-1 MAC) plays its fourth Mid-American Conference game and eighth overall contest of the 2025 season when it hosts Massachusetts (0-7, 0-3 MAC) in its 2025 Homecoming Game on Saturday at Kramer/Deromedi Field at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. Kickoff is at 3:32 p.m. ET for an ESPN+ broadcast.

As winners of three of its last four games and each of its last three home games, Central Michigan is coming off a decisive 27-6 win at Bowling Green. The win came after an off week and follows a 28-22 loss at Akron on Oct. 4. The Chippewas return home for the first time in three weeks. Previously, the Chippewas claimed back-to-back home victories over Eastern Michigan (24-13) in the MAC opener and Wagner (49-10) in its home opener. In both games, the Chippewas got off to fast starts. CMU is 2-0 at home in 2025.

Central Michigan held Bowling Green without a touchdown and to only six points on the road, the fewest touchdowns and points allowed in a game since it shutout Bucknell 41-0 on Sept. 17, 2022. With the victory, Central Michigan erased a 10-game road losing streak in MAC play. Quarterback Angel Flores scored a career-high three rushing touchdowns and linebacker Jordan Kwiatkowski led the defense with a season-high 14 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a key second quarter interception. Kwiatkowski was named the MAC Defensive Player of the Week for his effort. It was Kwiatkowski who started the Chippewas off as he intercepted a pass and returned it 26 yards to the BG one-yard line where Flores scored and gave the Chippewas a 7-3 lead. It was a lead CMU would not relinquish as the Chippewas scored again five minutes later when quarterback Joe Labas connected with receiver Collin Payne for a 63-yard pass, then Flores scored his second touchdown of the day, this time a 6-yard run. A 38-yard field goal by Cade Graham gave the Chippewas a commanding 17-3 lead. In the second half, Central Michigan took the opening possession and marched 75 yard in seven plays and ending in Flores' third touchdown of the day. Graham converted his second field goal of the day, a 47-yarder in the third quarter and CMU led 27-6.

At Akron on Oct. 4, Central Michigan battled back but could not complete the comeback, falling 28-22. With the Chippewas trailing 14-10 at halftime, Akron scored touchdowns on its first two possessions of the second half to go up 28-10. The host Zips used an 84-yard, eight-play drive to score on a 1-yard touchdown run, then seven minutes later used an 83-yard, 10-play drive to score on a 2-yard pass. The Chippewas battled back, scoring the game's last 12 points, but ran out of time. Akron was superb on third down as it converted 9-15 tries, outgained CMU 417-374 in total yardage and led time of possession, 32:18-27:42.

Central Michigan running back Brock Townsend rushed for a career-high 108 yards on eight carries (13.5 average), Flores scored two rushing touchdowns and finished with 95 rushing yards on 16 carries, and Labas completed 12 of 21 passes for 134 yards. Kwiatkowski led the Chippewa defense with 10 tackles, while Caleb Spann intercepted a pass.

On September 27, Central Michigan won its MAC opener with a 24-13 win over in-state rival Eastern Michigan before 28,605 fans, the ninth largest crowd in Kelly/Shorts Stadium history. The Chippewas rushed for 305 yards on 51 carries (6.0 average), outgained EMU 445-298 in total yardage, and controlled time of possession (35:46-23:36) in taking the win. Angel Flores (22-134 yards) and Nahree Biggins (14-113) both rushed for over 100 yards, Joe Labas completed 14 of 18 passes for 138 yards, Langston Lewis caught a career-high six passes for 45 yards and a touchdown and Central Michigan's defense accounted for an interception and 2.0 sacks.

Central Michigan got off to a fast start as it went 75 yards in nine plays on its opening possession ending in a 1-yard touchdown pass from Labas to Brock Townsend. The Chippewas went up 14-0 in the first quarter when Biggins burst up the middle for a 49-yard touchdown run. After Eastern Michigan scored a field goal, Central Michigan responded with another 75-yard, 12-play scoring driving ending in a 2-yard pass from Flores to Lewis and 21-3 halftime lead.

Eastern Michigan battled back to a 21-13 deficit, but Maddix Blackwell intercepted a pass and then Cade Graham converted a 22-yard field goal to put the game out of reach.

The previous week, it was a dominating 49-10 home victory over Wagner on Sept. 20, which saw the Chippewas rack up 506 yards of total offense, 233 yards rushing, 273 yards passing, and 24 first downs. CMU's defense also limited Wagner to 113 yards of total offense, six first downs, 72 yards rushing and only 41 yards passing.

Previously, Central Michigan opened its season with three straight road games for the first time since 1972. The Chippewas dropped a 63-3 loss at Michigan before 110,740 fans at Michigan Stadium on Sept. 13. It dropped a 45-17 decision at Pittsburgh on Sept. 6.

It won its season opener on Aug. 29 as it claimed a 16-14 come-from-behind victory at San Jose State.

The San Jose State win represented the first for coach Matt Drinkall as Central Michigan's football coach. Drinkall was named the 30th football coach at Central Michigan on Dec. 9, 2024, after serving the previous six seasons on staff at Army. His 2024 Army offensive line won the Joe Moore Award for top offensive line unit in the nation and helped guide the Black Knights to a 12-2 record, No. 22 national ranking in the College Football Playoff poll, and the American Athletic Conference title in the program's first year in the league.

In his first 10 months with the Central Michigan Football program, Drinkall has initiated a culture change with numerous improvements to the student-athlete experience. With a 3.2 grade point average, the Chippewas put together their best-ever academic semester in spring 2025. The Chippewas now have top-notch meals provided at their facility by CMU Dining Services, have turned rooms into areas for player use such as the VIP Lounge which was converted into a player lounge, the practice schedule has been revamped, and the team took a team-building trip to amusement park Cedar Point in the summer. Those are just a few of the many changes that he has made since his arrival.

Drinkall became the first coach at Central Michigan to win a debut game on the road since Bill Kelly won a 34-13 victory at Southern Illinois on Sept. 22, 1951. Drinkall also became the first coach at CMU since Herb Deromedi in 1978 to win his first road game and his first home game in his debut season.

Ranked as one of the nation's top-40 winningest FBS programs of all-time and with eight current players in the National Football League, Central Michigan is coming off three consecutive sub-.500 seasons for the first time since 2002-04. The Chippewas went 4-8 last season and 2-6 in the MAC.

FAST STARTING CHIPPEWAS

Fast starts and early leads have helped Central Michigan register victories in each of its four games this year. When Central Michigan leads at halftime, it is 4-0 on the year.

At Bowling Green, Central Michigan scored 17 straight points to take a 17-3 lead in the second quarter. It used a Jordan Kwiatkowski interception and 26-yard return to setup its first touchdown, used a 63-yard pass from Joe Labas to Collin Payne to setup its second touchdown, then stopped a fake punt by BGSU on fourth down to setup a field goal.

In each of its two home wins (Wagner, EMU), Central Michigan started fast and accumulated 14-0 first quarter leads in both games. Against Wagner, it was CMU's defense that made the plays early as Dakota Cochran picked off a pass and rambled 30 yards for touchdown. On Wagner's second possession, CMU's Michael Heldman forced a fumble that was picked up by Cochran and the Chippewa offense scored on a run for a 14-0 lead.

Against Eastern Michigan, it was Central Michigan's offense that helped give the Chippewas an early 14-0 first quarter lead. The Chippewas took their first drive 75 yards in nine plays and scored on a 1-yard TD pass from Angel Flores to Brock Townsend. On its next offensive drive, CMU went up 14-0 when running back Nahree Biggins burst through the middle of the field for a 49-yard touchdown run.

At San Jose State, Central Michigan used three turnovers to take an early 13-0 lead. San Jose State battled back to take a 14-13 lead, but CMU answered with a Cade Graham field goal and held off the hosts the rest of the way.

Game	Key Lead	Final Score
at SJSU	13-0 lead in 1st Q	W, 16-14
Wagner	14-0 lead in 1st Q	W, 49-10
EMU	14-0 lead in 1st Q	W, 24-13
at BGSU	17-3 lead in 2nd Q	W, 27-6

TURNOVER MARGIN TURNAROUND

In its first seven games of the 2025 season, Central Michigan has a +6 turnover margin, which ranks No. 1 in the MAC and No. 15 in FBS (11 turnovers gained/5 turnovers lost). The Chippewas also rank No. 28 nationally and No. 1 in the MAC in turnovers gained (11) and No. 12 nationally and No. 1 in the MAC in turnovers lost (5).

CMU has scored 50 of its 158 points off turnovers and has outscored its opponents 50-21 in points off turnovers. Last year, CMU was ranked No. 133 in turnover margin (-17) and tied a school record for worst turnover margin in a season.

The Chippewas have registered at least one turnover in each of its first seven games.

At San Jose State, Central Michigan forced three first half turnovers including two interceptions and a fumble recovery. The Chippewas scored their first 13 points off those turnovers. CMU also limited San Jose State to just 74 yards rushing on 17 carries. The two interceptions by Brenden Deasfernandes and Elijah Rikard equaled Central Michigan's interception total from the entire 2024 season. Last year, CMU totaled just five turnovers (2 interceptions/3 fumble recoveries), the Chippewas already have registered nine through six games in 2025.

At Pitt, Central Michigan registered one interception as Jordan Kwiatkowski stepped in front a pass and returned it 18 yards.

At Michigan, Brenden Deasfernandes registered an interception in the second quarter and turned it into three points.

Versus Wagner, Central Michigan turned two turnovers into a 14-0 lead in the first few minutes of the game. On Wagner's first possession, Dakota Cochran intercepted a tipped pass by Jordan Kwiatkowski and returned it 30 yards for a touchdown. On the next drive, Michael Heldman forced a fumble which was picked up by Cochran. The Chippewas scored on a 2-yard run by Angel Flores.

Central Michigan's Maddix Blackwell snatched an interception in the fourth quarter which ended an EMU drive.

At Akron, Caleb Spann intercepted a pass. At Bowling Green, Jordan Kwiatkowski and Jaion Jackson both intercepted passes.

TURNOVER FREE CMU

Central Michigan has turned the ball over just five times in seven games this season. It has not surrendered a turnover in MAC play this season. Upon entering Saturday's game, the Chippewas currently have not committed a turnover in each of the last 12 quarter.

Of the five turnovers, all five were committed with the game already decided. Not one of CMU's turnovers have come with the game on the line.

Central has gone through four games (at San Jose State, Eastern Michigan, at Akron, and at Bowling Green) without committing a turnover.

HOME SWEET, HOME

On a three-game home win streak and with a 2-0 record this year, Central Michigan enjoys a tremendous home field advantage at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. Since 2019, the Chippewas are a combined 24-10 with a .705 win percentage within the confines of Kelly/Shorts Stadium. The Chippewas have won six of their last eight and 10 of its last 13 home contests.

The last time CMU completed a season with an undefeated home record was when the Chippewas went a perfect 6-0 in 2019. The last several seasons, CMU went 1-2 in 2020, 5-1 in 2021, 2-4 in 2022, 4-1 in 2023, 3-2 in 2024, and 1-0 in 2025 at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

Since 1950, CMU has registered 13 undefeated seasons at home: 1953 (4-0), 1954 (4-0), 1955 (4-0), 1956 (4-0), 1967 (4-0), 1970 (4-0), 1977 (5-0), 1979 (5-0), 1980 (6-0), 1994 (5-0), 1998 (5-0), 2009 (5-0), and 2019 (6-0).

Since Kelly/Shorts Stadium opened in 1972, Central Michigan owns a 186-89-4 all-time record in 279 games played for a .667 win percentage. In MAC games, the Chippewas are 141-69-4.

KWIATKOWSKI EARNS HONOR

Senior Jordan Kwiatkowski was named the MAC's Defensive Player of the Week following his 14-tackle, 2.5 tackle for loss and one interception performance at Bowling Green last week.

The honor marks the first weekly MAC award for CMU this season and Kwiatkowski is the first CMU player to earn the MAC Defensive Player of the Year award since Oct. 2, 2023 (Kyle Moretti).

A WIN OVER UMASS WOULD…

•  Give Central Michigan a 5-3 overall record. The Chippewas surpass their win total from the 2024 season (4).
•  Give CMU a 3-1 record to start to MAC play for the first time since 2019 (not counting the CoVID-shortened 2020 season).
•  Give Central Michigan its second consecutive victory and fourth victory in its last five contests.
•  Give Central Michigan its fourth straight home victory, seventh in nine games and 11th win in its last 14 home games.
•  Give Central Michigan a 3-0 all-time record vs. UMass.
   Give Central Michigan a 62-35-1 all-time record in Homecoming games.
•  Help setup a key matchup against rival Western Michigan on Saturday, Nov. 1.

SERIES VS. UMASS

•  Central Michigan and UMass meet for the third time in series history dating back to 2012.
•  Central Michigan is 2-0 vs. UMass, including a 42-21 win in Amherst on Nov. 23, 2012 and a 37-0 win in Mount Pleasant on Nov. 23, 2013. Ironically, both victories were MAC wins as UMass was competing in the MAC.

HOMECOMING SUCCESS

Central Michigan holds a 61-35-1 record in 96 all-time Homecoming games. CMU did not play Homecoming during four years in 1943, 1944, and 1945 due to World War II and also in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

From 1986-93, Central Michigan won 17 consecutive Homecoming games. Its largest win on Homecoming was a 51-point victory (58-7) over Northern Illinois on Oct. 26, 1946. Through the years, CMU has registered 17 shutouts on Homecoming.

The Chippewas have claimed three of their last five Homecoming games and six of their last 11. Ohio defeated CMU 27-25 last year in the 2024 Homecoming game.

RUN THE BALL

Central Michigan has run the ball in 70.9 percent of its total offensive plays, (310 of 437) this season.

The Chippewas rushed for a season-high 305 yards on 51 carries vs. Eastern Michigan on Sept. 27. CMU rushed for 238 yards on 40 carries for a 6.0 average at Akron on Oct. 4. They rushed for 236 yards on 51 carries in the season opener at San Jose State (Aug. 29) and for 233 yards on 48 carries vs. Wagner.

CMU is averaging 190.6 yards rushing per game, which ranks No. 3 in the MAC and No. 36 in FBS, and 4.3 yards per carry.

CMU IN NATIONAL STATISTICS

Following its first seven games, Central Michigan is ranked among the nation's top 35 national leaders in 10 statistical categories. The Chippewas rank:

•  No. 3, passes had intercepted (1).
•  No. 12, turnovers lost (5).
•  No. 12, passes intercepted (9).
•  No. 15, turnover margin (0.86)
•  No. 22, time of possession (31:59).
•  No. 24, fourth down conversion percentage defense (40.0).
•  No. 28, turnovers gained (11).
•  No. 28, completion percentage (66.9).
•  No. 30, defensive touchdowns (1).
•  No. 36, rushing offense (190.6).

In addition, several individuals were ranked among the nation's top 35 in several different statistics:

•  Michael Heldman, No. 15, forced fumbles (0.29).
•  Michael Heldman, No. 16, sacks (0.79).
•  Angel Flores, No. 25, rushing touchdowns (7)
•  Cade Graham, No. 28, field goals per game (1.57).
•  Dakota Cochran, No. 30, fumbles recovered (1).
•  Fernando Sanchez III, No. 30, fumbles recovered (1).

Jordan Kwiatkowski Post-Game Press Conference at BGSU

Sunday, October 19

Angel Flores Post-Game Press Conference at BGSU

Sunday, October 19

Michael Heldman Post-Game Press Conference at BGSU

Saturday, October 18

Joe Labas Post-Game Press Conference at BGSU

Saturday, October 18

Central Michigan University Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Nahree Biggins

Maddix Blackwell

Dakota Cochran

Brenden Deasfernandes

Angel Flores

Cade Graham

Michael Heldman

Jaion Jackson

Jordan Kwiatkowski

Joe Labas

Langston Lewis

Collin Payne

Elijah Rikard

Fernando Sanchez III

Caleb Spann

Brock Townsend

Chippewas Host UMass for Homecoming on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

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